Chapter 10 10
|| Author POV ||
Her wide, innocent eyes locked onto the scene before her in pure shock.
Her heart thudded violently in her chest as she saw the girl approached Nick with a wide smile. Alice’s stomach dropped when she saw them hug. The closeness, the familiarity and the intimacy, made a crack inside her heart.
Then, as if the world itself had turned against her, their lips met.
Alice’s hands trembled. She bit down on her lower lip to stop herself from crying out but the tears came anyway, spilling down her cheeks, burning her heart with the cruel truth.
‘My husband is cheating on me.’
Unable to bear the sight any longer, Alice turned and ran down the corridor. Her feet barely kept pace with her panic. Her sobs shook her tiny frame, each step echoing her heartbreak.
Suddenly she collided with a solid figure. Alice looked up with her moistened eyes. It was Tristian. Startled, she instinctively threw her arms around him, seeking comfort.
“Brother!” Alice whispered between choked sobs, pressing herself into his broad chest.
Tristian’s gaze swept the corridor. His dark eyes followed the path she had just fled from. Across the hallway, Nick and the woman had entered inside the hotel room, disappearing from sight.
A dark knowing smirk tugged at Tristian’s lips.
Trustian gently pat her head. “It’s alright, Alice. Everything will be okay. I saw what happened.”
Alice clung to him desperately. Her tears soaked into his black jacket. Tristian’s hand rubbed her back in slow, calming circles, grounding her in a world that felt like it had betrayed her.
“I-I can’t. I can’t believe it.” she whispered while trembling. “How could he… my husband.. he’s cheating on me.” she hiccuped.
Tristian’s jaw tightened before his hand cupped her face tenderly. “Don’t cry, Alice. He deserves exactly what he’s done to you.” he said in a dangerous yet yet comforting voice.
Tristian stepped closer, his gaze dark and intense. “Alice, don’t let his cruelty define your worth. You’ve been wronged. You deserve better.”
Alice shook her head violently, tears still streaming. “I-I can’t. I-i… how could he–?”
Tristian’s hand returned to gently pat her head. “Shh. Don’t cry anymore. You’ve been hurt enough tonight. I’ll take you home.”
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Alice ran through the quiet halls of the Volcov mansion as soon as she reached. The sight she had witnessed at the hotel replayed in her mind like a cruel nightmare.
Her husband… kissing another woman!
Alice reached her room, slammed the door and slid down on the floor. Tears streaked her cheeks and sobs shook her body. Her heart ached with betrayal, confusion and hopelessness.
A soft knock interrupted her thoughts. Alice froze.
The door opened without waiting for a reply and Tristian stepped in. His dark eyes locked onto her. He crouched before her on the floor, bringing himself to her level, his firm hand cupped her tear streaked cheeks.
“Alice.” he uttered precisely, almost like a command. “Stop crying.”
Alice sniffled, reaching him. Her hands clutched at his jacket. “I-I can’t. He-he hates me. Why… why did he ruin my life?”
Tristian’s gaze hardened. He leaned slightly closer, his thumb brushing away her tears, not gently but with a calculated firmness. “He doesn’t deserve you. None of this… this pain, this humiliation, it’s not your fault. He’s weak. You… you’re far stronger than him. And far too valuable to waste on his games, Alice.”
Alice’s sobs grew louder. She hugged his neck impulsively, pressing herself against him. “I–I can’t take it anymore! Why did he ruin my life? Why doesn’t he love me? I tried… I tried so hard. He’s my husband–”
“Your husband?” Tristian’s voice turned ice-cold. “A husband doesn’t humiliate his wife in public. Doesn’t leave her crying alone at night. What you saw today–” he exhaled sharply, leaning closer until their faces were only inches apart, “—was the truth. And you needed to see it.”
Alice blinked rapidly, unable to hold his gaze. “Why does it hurt so much?”
“Because you’re still hoping.” he said flatly. “Stop hoping, Alice.”
A long silence followed.
“I can offer you what he never will.”
Alice blinked in confusion. Her heart raced. “What… what do you mean?” Tristian’s lips curved into a faint smirk while his face remained emotionless. “I mean.. maybe it’s time someone should make him feel the same kind of pain.”
Alice’s breath faltered. “Huh?”
“Call it justice.” he replied simply. His gaze was steady. “If I offered you a way to make him regret every word, every action, would you take it?”
Her heart pounded painfully. She didn’t understand. “I–I don’t know what you mean.”
“I’m ready to give you everything he refuses to. I can protect you. I can show you what it’s like to be desired, to be truly seen. And we can make him pay. For every insult, every betrayal and every tear you’ve shed because of him.”
Alice’s hands trembled. “Y-You–you mean.. revenge?”
Tristian’s smirk deepened into a cold slit “Yes. Revenge… and pleasure. The world has been cruel to you, Alice. He doesn’t deserve your loyalty or your heart. But I do.”
Alice still stared at him confusedly.
“You don’t understand, do you?” Tristian brushed a strand of hairs behind her ear. “I’m offering myself. Use me. However you want, Alice. I’m ready to give you all of me. My desire, my body, my emotions. Everything.” he confesses.
Alice’s wide eyes filled with shock and conflict. “I- what are you saying? You’re my… brother-in-law. I–I can’t. I’m your sister. You can’t..”
“I can do whatever I want.” Tristian cut her off, standing up. “He’s not my concern anymore. Brother or whatever it is. But you–” he paused. His eyes glinted faintly in the half-light, “you are.” he chuckled.
“You think too much of titles, too much of rules of what’s ‘right’ according to them. Forget rules. Forget him. He doesn’t deserve you, Alice. But I will wait. I will wait for you to use me.”
Alice’s lips trembled. She looked down, unsure, her chest heaving. “It’s–impossible.” she murmurs shakily.
Tristian’s hand stayed on her head for a moment longer before he released her. His smirk was cold, predatory and controlled. He straightened up. His dark coat brushed her arms before he turned to leave.
“But remember this–” he said over his shoulder, “The choice will always be yours. Think carefully, Alice. I’ll wait.”
The door clicked shut. Alice hugged her knees. Her heart trembling. For the first time, she wondered could someone truly care for her the way he does?